UM Orientation
We're glad you have chosen the University of Manitoba!
Starting university is both exciting and challenging. You can participate in a number of orientation activities to give yourself a good overview of campus life. Check out as many as you can to help you succeed in your first year.
UM Orientation
Welcome events for all new students
Attend these orientation events and start your university year with confidence.
Get started online
You’ve participated in Next Steps programming, accepted your letter of offer, registered for course and have gotten the hang of video conferencing software like Webex. Now it’s time to complete UM Essentials!
Complete UM Essentials
UM Essentials, along with other orientation activities, is intended to help you prepare for your studies at the University of Manitoba.
Discover your first year supports
We don't expect you to figure everything out in your first few days. Explore these resources to help you all year long -- with academics, your career options, campus life, recreation, and more.
More orientation events
Many other groups host orientation events for students. We invite you to attend as many of these events as you find helpful.
Volunteer at orientation events
Winter Welcome Volunteers
Winter Welcome Volunteers are in-person volunteers who work with staff as a team to assist in introducing new students to campus during Winter 2023 Orientation events.
What does being an in-person Welcome Volunteer involve?
As a Winter Welcome Volunteer, you will…
- Assist in various roles primarily during in-person Welcome Day
- Act as a positive ambassador for the University of Manitoba and our community
- Make connections on campus and with your peers
- Gain knowledge about the university
- Work collaboratively with a team of volunteers and staff
Volunteering for 10+ hours over Winter Orientation volunteer training and events will mean that you will receive recognition on your Experience Record (former CCR) for this role.
What is the time commitment? What dates do I need to be available for?
Welcome Day for Winter 2023 will be on Friday, January 6th. Volunteers must attend a mandatory in-person training on Thursday, December 8th, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, where they can sign up for shift-blocks on the day of the event.
Am I eligible to be a Welcome Volunteer?
You are eligible to apply to be a Winter Welcome Volunteer if you...
- Are currently registered as a University of Manitoba student at the undergraduate level on the Fort Garry Campus and;
- Are in good conduct standing based on the University of Manitoba’s Behavioural Policies and;
- Have a minimum one year of study at the U of M and;
- Are continuing as a registered University of Manitoba student in Winter 2023
How do I sign-up?
You can sign-up by filling out this MS Forms application form. Applications close on Monday, December 5th, at 4:30 PM!
Online Welcome Leaders
Online Welcome Leaders are volunteers who work with staff and the Orientation Team Leaders to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for new students throughout online orientation programming.
Applications for the 2022 OWL position are now closed. Thank you to all those who applied.
What does being an Online Welcome Leader involve?
As an Online Welcome Leader, you will…
- Support a group of new students in UM Essentials (the online Orientation course through UM Learn).
- Foster interaction between new students by facilitating activities and encouraging conversation.
- Share appropriate first-year experiences and information about available campus resources with new students.
- Participate in Online Orientation events such as Prep Week and Welcome Day (TBC) by hosting student-led sessions.
- Act as a positive ambassador for the University of Manitoba and our community.
Skill Development Focus:
- Interpersonal skills
- Verbal & written communication
- Problem-solving
- Working as part of a team
- Public speaking (TBC)
- Virtual event facilitation (TBC)
Additional Benefits:
- Make connections on campus & with your peers
- Participate in monthly virtual volunteer activities throughout the summer & post-orientation wrap-up event
- Get co-curricular (CCR) recognition for your contributions
Am I eligible to be an OWL?
To be eligible to volunteer with orientation, students must be:
- Currently registered as a University of Manitoba student at the undergraduate level on the Fort Garry Campus.
- In good conduct standing based on the University of Manitoba’s Behavioural Policies. Additional details are available on the application form.
- Have a minimum one year of study at the U of M (successful completion of 18 credit hours or more prior to Summer 2022).
- Continuing as a registered University of Manitoba student in Fall 2022.
- In good academic standing (which, for the purposes of orientation, is defined as having a minimum GPA of 2.0 for the last three academic terms). Note that confirmation of GPA is part of the selection process.
Orientation Team Leaders
Orientation Team Leaders are volunteers who work with the staff to recruit, engage, and support Online Welcome Leaders prior to and throughout orientation and are integral to the coordination and smooth operation of orientation programming on campus.
Being an OTL is an intensive volunteer experience (approximately a 100-hour commitment) where students can expect to develop valuable skills in communication, team work, and leadership.
Applications for the 2022 OTL Position are now closed.Are you interested in applying to be an OTL in the future? Check out the requirements below so you know what to expect next year! Applications will re-open early 2023.
What's involved with being an Orientation Team Leader (OTL)? What are the benefits?
As an Orientation Team Leader, you will be…
- Assisting with the promotion of volunteer opportunities and recruitment of Online Welcome Leaders.
- Collaboratively developing the online interview and facilitating interviews for Online Welcome Leaders.
- Collaboratively planning, developing, and implementing online summer programming / meetings / training for Online Welcome Leader.
- Coordinating Online Welcome Leaders, which can include tracking participation, overseeing engagement on UM Essentials, and providing direction and feedback during 2022 orientation events.
- Assisting with recognition of Online Welcome Leaders & Fall 2022 orientation volunteer wrap-up.
- Presenting at orientation events alongside staff members; hosting and/or facilitating student-led sessions.
Typical Team Size: up to 10
Skill Development Focus
- Interpersonal skills
- Verbal and written communication
- Planning and organizing
- Problem-solving
- Facilitation
- Self-awareness & personal strengths
- Coordinating / Leading / Supervising others
- Public speaking
- Working as part of a team
Additional Benefits:
- Make connections on campus & with your peers
- Practice leadership skills that contribute to your campus community
- Get Co-Curricular Record (CCR) recognition for your contributions in the ledership category, separate from other orientation volunteers
What is the time commitment?
Required Time Commitment (March – October 2022)
Total time commitment: ~100+ hours
- ~3-5 hours/week, Winter 2022 (March – April)
- ~5-10 hours/week, Spring 2022 (May – July)
- ~7-15 hours/week, Summer 2022 (August + Orientation days)
- ~2-3 hours/week, September & early October 2022
What are the dates and activities I need to be available for?
Specific dates / activities
|
Online training/module completion
|
Approx. 6 hrs, |
|
Weekly OTL team meetings |
March - May; max 2 hours (anticipated 6-8pm)
June – October; max 3 hours (anticipated 6-9pm)
|
| Recruitment / outreach efforts (virtual or in-person TBD) |
Scheduled based on availability |
| Online Welcome Leader Interviews (held virtually) |
May 9 - May 20 (scheduled based on availability) |
| Initial Online Welcome Leader training (held virtually) |
(F) May 27, 6-8pm |
| Interviews for In-Person Volunteers* (Held in-person - see note below) |
TBD /summer; scheduled based on availability |
| Planning & attending volunteer skill-building meetings (virtual or in-person TBD) |
(R) June 30, 6-8pm |
| Planning & attending event-specific training |
(M) August 22, 6-8pm (event confirmed; virtual or in-person TBD) (W) August 24, 6-8pm* (event TBD; held in-person - see note below) |
| Supervising Online Welcome Leaders UMEssentials Teams (virtual) |
1hr per week outside of meetings |
|
Individual/small-group work |
2-4hrs per month outside of meetings |
| Event Days |
Prep Week: Monday, August 29 – Friday, September 2, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Welcome Day: Tuesday, September 6, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Volunteer Wrap-up (virtual or in-person TBD) |
(F) October 7, 6-8pm |
| Program evaluation survey (virtual) |
Approx. 1 hour, completed on own time |
*If Prep Week and/or Welcome Day events are determined to be in-person, recruitment of in-person volunteers will occur later in the summer, and an in-person training session will be held on Wednesday, August 24
Am I eligible to be an OTL?
Eligibility to become an Orientation Team Leader:
- Currently a student enrolled in a U of M degree program at the undergraduate or graduate level
- Minimum of 2 years of study at the University of Manitoba (successful completion of 36 credit hours before May 2022)
- Returning to studies at U of M in Fall 2022
- In good academic standing (which, for the purposes of orientation, is defined as having a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the last three academic terms). Note that confirmation of GPA is part of the selection process. Applicants with a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- In good conduct standing based on the University of Manitoba’s Behavioural Policies.
- Previous volunteer experience with orientation events preferred
How do I apply?
Applications for the 2022 OTL position are now closed.
Application Process
For this application you will be asked to submit a 1-2 page cover letter (see below for what to include) in PDF format, with a copy of your winter term schedule.
Skills & experience applicants should address
In your 1–2-page cover letter introducing yourself, please be sure to include the following:
- Your current (or target) faculty
- Your previous experience at orientation events, including your responsibilities
- Any additional volunteer experience (either on or off campus), including your responsibilities
- Why you want to be a Team Leader
- The strengths & skills you would bring to the Orientation team
- What you would hope to gain as an Orientation Team Leader and/or skills you want to intentionally develop & work on
- An outline of major commitments (e.g. classes you are taking/plan to take, volunteer/student group commitments, regular personal or family obligations, etc.) and description of possible challenges you may encounter in your involvement, with a proposed plan to manage your time that would allow you to fully participate as an Orientation Team Leader
*For general guidelines about writing cover letters, please see the Cover Letter Handbook from Career Services*
Contact us
For questions about volunteering with orientation, contact
Student Life Office
225 UMSU University Centre
Phone: 204-474-9093
Email: orientation.volunteers@umanitoba.ca
Don't want to miss an opportunity to get involved? Ask to be added to our mailing list by contacting studentlife@umanitoba.ca!